Table



.5.721, 1969 D. s. z-MGANSn 'Y Y 3,422,774

TABLE Sheet Filed May 22, 1967 D. S. HAGANS Jan. 241; 19@

TABLE Sheet Filed May 22, 1967 United States Patent O 3,422,774 TABLE Daniel S. Hagans, 1405 White Ave., Killeen, Tex. 76541 Filed May 22, 1967, Ser. No. 640,163 U.S. Cl. 10S-23 8 Claims Int. Cl. A47b 23/06 ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Following is disclosed a table having a translucent plate top disposed on a strip of resilient material for vertical movement. Depression of the plate actuates a pressure responsive switch to illuminate or darken an electric light that shines upon the plate. A rotatable cylinder with windows filled with selected strips of translucent, transparent or opaque material surrounds the electric light for varying the light intensity or color emitted from the translucent plate. A control knob extends from the cylinder to the exterior of the enclosure for orienting the cylinder. The table has a drawer with a generally U-shaped subenclosure above which the cylinder and electric light are mounted. In one embodiment the subenclosure and mounting means for the light are ordinarily engaged to prevent transmission of light into the drawer except when opened. A radial wheel having apertures and windows of selected shape is mounted beneath the subenclosure of the drawer to transmit light to a magazine rack. In another embodiment a reflector is disposed beneath the enclosure t0 reect light in a selected direction from the table. For placing varying weights on the table without unintentional actuation of the pressure responsive switch, a plate adjustment device connects the enclosure with the plate.

Broad discussion of the invention Searching for light switches at night is hereby eliminated advantageously by providing a table having a translucent top illuminated by contacting any region of the top. Means are provided to enable varying weights such as ower vases or books to be placed on the table top without inadvertent illumination. In addition, light intensity may be varied, preferably in a manner eliminating necessity for additional electrical apparatus. A preferred embodiment has a drawer which may be illuminated simultaneously with or independently from the table top upon opening the drawer. Generally, night tables have a magazine rack which with my invention may be illuminated simultaneously with or independently from illumination of the table top or drawer. Moreover, to facilitate safer movement between the bedroom and other rooms a reflection device is provided in one embodiment to cast light in selected directions.

Brief description of the figures in the drawing FIG. l is a perspective view of a night table embodying principles of my invention; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing preferred components and their internal arrangement inside the night table of FIG. l; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional View as seen looking along the lines III-III of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an embodiment of my night table illustrating a preferred construction beneath its drawer; FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are cross-sectional views as seen respectively looking along the lines V-V of FIG. 2 and VI-VI of FIGS. 2 and 4; and FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in section, of a reector apparatus combined with the night table of FIG. 1.

ICC

Description of a preferred embodiment The numeral 11 in the drawing designates a night table having a plurality of legs 13 supporting an enclosure 15. A movable translucent plate 17 forms the top of the enclosure, being manufactured preferably of plastic supported on resilient separation means 19, which in this instance is in the form of a sponge rubber rectangular ring resting on a ridge 21 formed on the walls 23 of the enclosure. Translucent means in this context the ability to transmit light, and encompasses but is not limited to transparency.

A pressure responsive switch 25 is disposed on a suitable support means 26 inside the enclosure and is secured to the rear wall 23 as shown in FIG. 2. Electrical conductors 27 extend to terminals (not shown) on switch 25 and additional conductors 29, 31 extend between terminals 33, 35 on the switch to an electric light 37 mounted on the support means. The electric light is surrounded by a cylinder 39 having a plurality of windows 41, 43, 45 (see FIG. 3) which receive strips of material. These strips may have selected light transmitting characteristics, preferably one being opaque such as window 41 of FIG. 3.

The top portions 42 of the support means 46 (here a board secured to the enclosure and extending from back to front walls in the mid region of the table) engage upper regions of the cylinder 39 such that the light from only one window may be made to shine upward toward the translucent plate 17. If an opaque strip of material is inserted in window 41, as Viewed in FIG. 3, no light will be transmitted through translucent plate 17.

To enable various weights such as lamps to be placed upon translucent plate 17 without unintentional actuation of switch 25, a plurality of adjustment means 49 communicate between the enclosure and the plate. In this instance the adjustment means include a shoulder 51 protruding inwardly from a wall of the enclosure to receive a fastener such as a bolt 53 that extends through an aperture (not shown) in the plate 17. The bolt has one enlarged end portion 55 which engages the top surface of the plate. A compression spring 59 is mounted between the plate 17, preferably engaging a washer 57 beneath the plate and an upper surface of the shoulder 51. A wing nut 61 is connected with the lower end of the bolt 53 such that the spatial relationship between resilient support means 19 and plate 17 may be varied.

Notice with reference to FIG` 2 that the cylinder has end closures 63, 65 that prevent light transmission in an upward direction except through the windows 41, 43, or 45 may be oriented upward. Thus light intensity received and transmitted through the translucent plate 17 may be varied as, for example, by having one opaque strip of material, one nontransparent but translucent strip of material, and one transparent strip of material inserted in the windows. Moreover, the color transmitted to the plate 17 may be varied by utilizing colored transparencies, for example.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 a drawer 73 is inserted in a receiving recession in the enclosure, having a generally U-shaped subenclosure or section which extends from the rear wall 77 of the drawer. The cylinder 39 and electric light 37 are disposed above section 75 when the drawer is closed. Moreover, section 75 has an open bottom and top as may be best seen in FIG. 4. The front wall 79 of the U-shaped section 75 extends upward into engagement with end closure 63 on the cylinder 39 when the drawer is closed. However, upon opening the drawer front wall 79 moves away from end 3 closure 63 of the cylinder 39 and from the end of the support means 26 to emit light into the drawer.

The bottom 76 of the enclosure surrounding drawer 73 preferably has an aperture 77 (see FIG. 6) such that light passing through the drawer is transmitted to the magazine rack 79 carried by lower regions of the legs 13. To control the intensity `or color of light transmitted to the magazine rack, a radial wheel 81 is mounted on the bottom 76 of the enclosure by a mounting means 83, here in the form of a U-shaped bracket. An axle 85 extends through the bracket and carries a gear 87 that engages a pinion 89 secured to` a shaft 91. A control knob 93 is mounted on the end of the shaft 91 which extends to an aperture 9S in the front wall of the enclosure. As may be seen best in FIG. 4 the radial wheel 81 has a plurality of apertures 97 of selected shape which may have windows of selected material to control the intensity and color of light transmitted to the magazine rack 79.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 a reector 97 is mounted beneath the aperture 77 in the bottom 76 of the enclosure to a supporting arm 99 having forward and backward ball joints 101, 103. The rearward ball joint 103 is supported by a vertical shaft 105 that extends to a pedestal 107 secured to the bottom 76 of the enclosure. A control arm 109 extends through the rear wall 110 of the enclosure t a control knob 111. Bevel gears 113, 11S communicate between the control rod 109 and the vertical shaft 105 to enable movement of the reliector about a vertical axis dened by shaft 105.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided an invention having signiiicant advantages. The electric light 37 is actuated by depressing the translucent plate 17, eliminating the problem of seeking a switch in the dark. Adjustment means 49 are used in combination with the translucent plate 17 to enable weight variation on the plate without unintentional actuation of the switch. Alternatively, adjustment means may be used in combination with the switch to vary its vertical position in the enclosure, for example, to accomplish the same result. Also, it is within the scope of my invention to mount switches at various locations inside the closure to minimize the force required to actuate the switch irrespective of the region of the plate contacted. The table may function as a night light, with the intensity of the light transmitted through the translucent plate 17 being conveniently controlled by turning the control rod 67 to orient a selected one of the strips of material in the cylinder 39 upward. The construction of the drawer 73 and its cooperative relationship with the support means 26 of the cylinders 39 and light 37 is such that selected intensity and color of light may be transmitted upward or downward. As shown in FIG. 3, if the window 41 is for example lled with a clear, transparent material, white light will shine upon translucent plate 17. Also, one window may be lled with a strip of opaque material to darken the translucent plate 17. In addition, the opaque material may be oriented downward such that the translucent plate 17 becomes luminous While preventing light transmission to the drawer or magazine rack. A translucent table top, table top switch apparatus, a drawer that automatically illuminates when opened, and control means to select the light transmitted through the table top and to the drawer may be utilized as a subcombination in a suitable enclosure and placed on a conventional night stand. This may prevent the use of the radial wheel 81 for transmitting selected light intensities, colors and patterns to a magazine rack, as well as preventing use of a reflector to beam light to selected regions of the room. It is, however, especially advantageous if the complete combination shown in the drawing and described above is utilized.

While I have shown my invention in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible to various changes and modications without departing from the spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. A night table comprising:

supporting legs;

an enclosure carried on upper regions of said legs;

a movable translucent plate forming the top of said enclosure;

resilient separation means interposed between said plate -and the remainder of said enclosure;

yieldable adjustment means communicating between said plate and another selected portion of said enclosure for selectively varying the relationship lbetween said resilient separation means and the remainder of said enclosure;

a pressure responsive switch secured in said enclosure adjacent and actuated by movement of said plate; and

a light source carried inside said enclosure, exposed to said translucent plate and communicating with said switch to illuminate said plate responsive to application of a selected minimum force against said plate.

2. The night table defined by claim 1 which further comprises: a cylinder mounted around said electric light and having a plurality of windows formed around its circumference; selected strips of material disposed in said windows; end closures on respective ends of said cylinder to prevent light transmission therethrough; and rotational drive means extending between said cylinder and the exterior of said enclosure for orientation of said windows and strips of material to vary the light appearing through said plate.

3. The night table dened by claim 2 which further comprises a drawer inserted in a receiving recession in said enclosure; with one said end enclosure on said cylinder being connected with said drawer to open when said drawer is opened to illuminate the interior of the drawer.

4. The night table defined by claim 3 wherein the windows of the cylinder have a chordal width corresponding to the distance across an aperture in the support means to which the cylinder is located, Iand one of said windows is opaque to darken said plate while simultaneously enabling lighting of said drawer when opened.

5. A table comprising:

supporting legs;

an enclosure carried on upper regions of said legs;

a translucent top forming the top of said enclosure;

a light source carried by the enclosure beneath said translucent plate;

pressure responsive means carried by said enclosure 'adjacent said translucent plate to illuminate the light source upon application of a selected force to said plate;

a drawer inserted in a receiving recession in said en- Closure;

a generally U-shaped subenclosure extending from the rear wall of said drawer, with said light source being mounted over said subenclosure;

a rotatable wheel having selected apertures mounted under said subenclosure to transmit light beneath said enclosure; and

a magazine rack carried by said table legs below said enclosure to receive light from said electric light.

6. The table defined by claim 5 wherein a movable reflector is carried by said enclosure beneath the aperture of said enclosure to reect light in a selected direction.

7. A table comprising:

supporting legs;

an enclosure carried on upper regions of said legs;

a movable translucent plate forming the top of said enclosure;

a light source carried inside said enclosure;

a pressure responsive switch carried by said enclosure and actuated by downward movement of said translucent plate;

adjustment means carried by said enclosure and communicating with a selected one of said plate and said switch to vary the minimum force necessary to actuate said switch.

8. The table dened 4by claim 7 which further cornprises a drawer inserted in a receiving recession in said enclosure; an opaque wall connected with the inside of said drawer and extending upwardly to encompass and enclose the lower region of said light source upon closing the drawer; at least a portion of said enclosure moving away from the light source to open a space for radiating light into the drawer when opened.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Miller 200-85 Nyman ZOO-85 Clausen 108--23 Coyne ZOO-85 Brockmeier 108-23 Applegarth 200-85 10 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

